Two directors in their 30s talk about their work and what they value now
Interview: Yamato Web Solutions Co., Ltd. Kaneko Sarin

Our guest on this episode of "Meguru Measuring Ruler" is Sarin Kaneko from Yamato Web Solutions Co. , Ltd. (hereafter referred to as YWS). This was made possible by Director Oyabu's wish to "talk to her more slowly and in depth."

The relationship between Kaneko and Oyabu began when he was asked by YWS to renew the website for Yamato Staff Supply Co., Ltd., a company in the Yamato Group.

As they worked together on this project, they hit it off. At a meeting after the project was over, Kaneko said something that made everyone happy: "I'd like to ask Oyabu to work on our next project as well!"

Oyabu's impression of Kaneko is that "Tomohata" means "working with people who want to live together." As directors of the same generation, this was a frank conversation.

Kaneko-san (left) and Oyabu (right) at the YWS office.

A letter from Oyabu to Kaneko-san

I met Mr. Kaneko at the end of last year, when I was working on a website renewal project for Yamato Staff Supply.
I will never forget the joy I felt over the phone with Mr. Kaneko when, after overcoming many hurdles, the site was finally launched.
I think being able to share both difficult times and happy moments was what made me think of us as "Tomohata."

Since we are of the same generation, we often have opportunities to have casual conversations during our off time, such as at social gatherings, that make us both laugh.
We spent time together like that, and before I knew it, Kaneko-san = the person I'm interested in.

Although we have only known each other for a short time, I would like to take my time to talk to Kaneko-san, who has shared both good times and bad, and who I care about, about all sorts of things! So, today I will be interviewing him.

A special bond was born because we both felt it was the right time

The interview began with a look back at the website renewal project for Yamato Staff Supply, which was what first brought them together. As they talked, they found that it was a time when they both had high hopes for the project.

Yamato Staff Supply Co., Ltd. Top Page

Kaneko : Thinking back now, it was my third year at YWS. It was my first time as a director.
To be honest, I was at a loss as to what to do, not even knowing the first letter of "direction," when I ended up working with Oyabu-san.

Oyabu: Was that the timing?

Kaneko : That's right. So I learned on the spot that "this is how direction should be done." In that sense, the timing of my work with your company was fateful. It was the first stage where I was asked to take on the role of a director, so it was a very good experience for me, and I would like to thank you again.

Oyabu: Thank you very much. I believe the project started at the end of last year, right?

Kaneko : Yes. It's been a year already.

Oyabu : To be honest, this was a very important project for me as we entered 2016. Last year, I was training to be a director, and I made some big mistakes, so I wanted to get back on track and make up for last year's mistakes. That's what I was determined to do at the time.

Kaneko :I see.

OYABU : From the very first meeting, I had the feeling that "this year is the year!" When I think about it, this project came at a good time for me, just like it did for Mr. Kaneko.

Kaneko: As a result, we have been told that the number of inquiries has increased, and we are glad to have this as an achievement.

Oyabu: Thanks to both me and Mr. Kaneko's words, I was awarded the MVP award within the company. Thank you very much.

Article about when Oyabu won the company's monthly MVP award (September 29, 2016)

The thing that made the biggest impression on me about Kaneko Oyabu's work style was the task management sheet. It records the work history and I still refer to it to see if this is the best way to manage progress.
I was also grateful that the checks were very detailed, which helped me to prevent mistakes. I learned that in the end, it's important to check things like this.
Also, our company was using a somewhat unusual video, and sometimes the display would go haywire, but I remember Oyabu-san fixing it himself, which was very memorable.

Oyabu :The idea was that the video would appear if you simply embedded the rather complicated and lengthy source code, but it turned out that some customization was required.

Kaneko: In the end, we just had to add one line of code to the source code, but people who don't understand it wouldn't notice. I thought it was amazing that the director was able to do that.

Oyabu : I'm a bit unique in that respect. I joined Monosus mainly to do coding. I think having that experience is an advantage.

Kaneko: Because he has a lot of experience with production, he understands the feel of the work, and knows which tasks are heavy and which are light. He can predict how many days it will take to complete. He can respond flexibly because he can make such predictions. That was also very helpful.

Even at Oyabu , Mr. Kaneko had some knowledge of coding, so the meetings went smoothly. That's why we were able to work well together and it was easy to get the job done.

The basis of work is human interaction. The quality of communication can change with just one word.

Oyabu : What are you particular about in your work right now?

Kaneko: The basis of work is human interaction, so I want to communicate properly.
As a director, I have to negotiate and make adjustments a lot, and the impression I get can change depending on how I speak, so I don't want to treat people in a condescending way. Basically, I want to take the stance of "Let's work hard together."
In fact, even in cases where we have to ask a partner company for help because of a short deadline and lack of internal resources, we don't want to say, "Can you do it?" If I were in the opposite position, a simple "I'm really sorry" would make them feel like, "Well, it can't be helped" or "I'll do it."

OYABU: Even if you make the same thing, you are still conscious of the process of making it.

Kaneko : Even after I emailed them to ask for revisions, I would call them and say, "Is this okay? I'm sorry, but..." I was particular about those kinds of things.

Oyabu : I do think that such serious matters can be resolved by email... (laughs). By the way, what is your impression of Monosus?

Kaneko: When I received a call from Oyabu-san about this interview, I was with another partner company on a different matter. Then, as soon as the company name "Monosus" was mentioned, the reaction was "Oh, isn't it a coding factory?" and "Monosus is good." The partner company is a company that puts together systems, so if you ask them to code it like this, they will finish it accurately." "They do a good job with us, and the accuracy is high," we said, and the conversation got lively.

I'm happy because I've never heard directly from Oyabu 's customers before.

Kaneko : Your company is well-known in the industry and I think the quality is high. I feel honored to be able to work with such a company.... Am I praising you a bit too much? (laughs)

(laughs) I'm honored . Thank you very much.

Kaneko : The party you were invited to previously by Monosas was also amazing. I was surprised at how authentic the food was.

I know I should say this about Oyabu 's own company, but the food is seriously good. We will be holding our 12th anniversary party on November 11th this year, so please come along.

Thank you Kaneko !

Later, Kaneko-san (right) and Oyabu (left) came to the Monosus Founding Anniversary Party this year (2016).

When I went to the countryside, I suddenly realized the value of work that tends to be overlooked when you're in Tokyo.

Oyabu Kaneko, what kind of career do you envision for the future?

Kaneko : It feels like an interview all of a sudden (laughs). I don't know... My current job is fun, I have good relationships with people, and I like everyone. I enjoy coming to work.
That's why I would like to challenge myself with larger-scale projects and projects that I have never done before.

What do you like about Oyabu ?

It's really interesting to work together within the Kaneko Group. It's a scale that you can't easily experience at other companies.
If you go to a Yamato Transport office, there is a system called "Nekopit" that allows you to print out parcel shipping labels on a tablet, and I was in charge of part of the design production of that interface.
Recently, when I went to Niigata, I was trying to send some rice from a Yamato Transport office. I noticed that there was a Nekopit there, just like you would expect, and there was a picture of me there, too. I was so happy that I cried out, "Wow!"

Oyabu: That's good to hear.

Kaneko : When I work in an office in Tokyo, I sometimes can't see the scale of my work, but when I go to the countryside, the work I did takes shape and is there. Speaking passionately, I want to leave something behind. What I did at work. So when I saw Nekopit, I felt that I was glad to be working for the Yamato Group.

Oyabu has offices all over the country.

Kaneko : It's definitely worth doing. It can be hard work, but when I see the finished product being used, I can brag about it to my family and it makes me happy.

(Interviewer: Kensaku Saguchi)